The crowds and a wider audience on the web have been abuzz about an arresting carroza or float in a Baliwag, Bulacan Holy Week procession with Roman soldiers dressed as Korean Joseon Dynasty royal guards.
This year, “Ang Pagbabalabal kay Jesus ng Kapang Purpura” or the float depicting Jesus being mockingly enrobed in purple was given a Hallyu twist. Instead of the traditional centurion uniform, the Roman soldiers were in striking blue robes and Jeonrips, which are wide-brimmed military hats.
Owners Ewoks Simbulan and Enchong Reyes defended the choice, arguing that the practice dressing images in themed costumes was nothing new, given that the sanctity of the sacred images are observed.
“Wala akong binastos na banal na imahe dahil mga sundalo lamang ang ginawan ko ng tema, hindi ang Mahal na Poong Hesukristo. Ang mga sundalong ito ay hindi naman mga banal at santo,” Simbulan explained, adding that the diverse themes like the Tudor costumes used last year reflects the “universal” nature of the Catholic faith.
Simbulan and Reyes noted that, in other countries, such as Guadalupe, Mexico, France, the image of the Blessed Mother has been dressed in their local traditional clothing, drawing emphasis on the religion’s relevance to the country’s people.
“Kaya nga during the time of Queen Isabella of Spain, ‘La Catolica,’ she decreed that all Marian images in the whole Spanish empire—which included the Philippines during that time—be attired in Spanish regalia, particularly the image of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores or Mater Dolorosa,” Simbulan explained.
“When the Blessed Mother appeared in Guadalupe, Mexico, the visionary said that she was dressed like a Mexican woman of nobility. When she appeared in Lourdes, Bernadette said she was attired in white French winter clothes. So we come to know her more closely because she wanted to be identified with us, like her Son who lived among us,” he added.
While formal permission from the church is not a strict requirement, Simbulan said that the Association of Float Owners and the parish instructs its members to avoid lewd or sacreligious costumes.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa namang plano kung magtetema ulit kami, pero isa lang ang sinisigurado namin: walang pambabastos sa mga kasuotan ng mga banal na imahe, lalo na sa kasuotan ng Kristo,” he said.
Every year, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Augustine in Baliwag, Bulacan features 128 grand floats during the Holy Week.
The scene of soldiers putting a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head and clothing him in a purple robe was intended to humiliate him, mocking his claim to be the “King of the Jews.”
Purple was a dye color reserved for the affluent and royalty in ancient times. Enrobing Jesus then, a prisoner, in a purple robe was meant to make his royal claims seem preposterous.
